Variability and genetic basis for migratory behaviour in a spring population of the aphid,Aphis gossypiiGlover in the Yangtze River Valley of China

Abstract

The population dynamics, development of gonads, takeoff and flight behaviour of Aphis gossypii Glover were investigated in order to test whether there was variation of migratory ability in the spring population. Field surveys showed that not all the aphids overwintering on hibiscus migrated to the secondary host plants, and the host-alternating and host-specific life-cycle forms coexisted in Nanjing, China. Substantial variation in flight capacity of winged individuals, development of gonads and takeoff behaviour were found within the spring population. The frequency distribution of flight duration and the number of ovarioles per individual alatae exhibited two peaks, representing the migratory and sedentary genotypes, respectively. Significant response to directional selection on takeoff behaviour demonstrated the additive genetic component of this variation. Selection for 'takeoff' individuals caused a significant increase in takeoff angle from 39.8 degrees in the first selection to 68.7 degrees in the fifth; and, hence, screened out the migratory genotype (M), while selection for the sedentary individuals increased the rate of non-takeoffs significantly, and screened out the sedentary genotype (S). The reciprocal cross, M(female) x S(male), produced hybrid offspring performing significantly steeper takeoff angles compared with those from the cross S(female) x M(male), suggesting the presence of a maternal effect. On the other hand, takeoff rate was ranked as M(female) x S(male)=S(female) x M(male)>M>S, involving no sex-linkage and maternal effect. The coexistence of host-alternating and host-specific life-cycle forms of A. gossypii on the primary host has, as deduced from the present studies, a genetic basis.

Genetic Diversity of the Planthopper,Sogatella furciferain the Greater Mekong Subregion Detected by Inter-Simple Sequence Repeats (ISSR) Markers

“…Variability and the genetic basis for migratory behaviors in a spring population of the aphid, Aphis gossypii in the Yangtze River Valley of China was investigated by Liu et al (2008). The tethered flight capacity, takeoff frequency, and takeoff angle of winged A. gossypii were measured, and the genetic basis of population differentiation in migration was investigated through bi-directional selection and cross-breeding experiments.…”

Plasticity in host utilization by two host-associated populations ofAphis gossypiiGlover

“…This study clearly shows that regardless of natal hosts, A. gossypii can sub-optimally exploit these two annual weed species, pigweed, and morning glory. While there are several reports of A. gossypii using perennial plants such as Hibiscus for overwintering purposes (Liu et al , 2008 a , b ; Razmjou et al , 2010), records are limited when it comes to annual non-crops serving as alternate hosts (Perng, 2002; Margaritopoulos et al , 2009). In Taiwan, Perng (2002) documented that among the four weed species, Solanum nigrum L. (black nightshade) was a better host of A. gossypii than Ageratum houstonium Mill., Bidens pilosa L., and Spermacoce latifolia (Aubl.).…”